Tuesday, February 15, 2011

BookTrib Chat with Author Heather Gudenkauf

 
I just reviewed this book today and you can join in on this great opportunity to chat with the author!  See the information below and join Heather Gudenkauf on February 23rd for the live chat.

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf will join us for a live chat on BookTrib to celebrate the release of her newest book, THESE THINGS HIDDEN.  To participate, join the BookTrib Club and post any questions you’ve had about her newest book, her last book THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE, or anything else that crosses your mind!

A BookTrib chat with Heather will begin Friday, February 18th and run through Friday, February 25th at 12 pm ET.  Feel free to start posting questions on the club wall and Heather will answer them as she can.  On Wednesday, February 23rd starting at 6:45 pm CT running for an hour, Heather will be chatting live with readers to ensure all questions are answered!  During the chat, BookTrib will be giving away 10 copies of THESE THINGS HIDDEN signed by Heather.




Book Review: These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf



These Things HiddenThese Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf
Publisher: Mira
Publish Date: January 18, 2011
Paperback, 352 pages 
General Fiction





My Review:
Why I read this:I read Ms. Gudenkauf's debut, The Weight of Silence and loved it.  This one sounded just as good from the blurb so I accepted a review copy.

How is the novel driven: Primarily character, but there is a plot line to follow as well.  It's told from the perspective of four different women who appear to have nothing in common.


My thoughts: I picked this up at around 2pm on Saturday and put it down when I was done around 7pm that night.  The only time I put it down was to do some laundry, otherwise this book held my attention and I honestly could not put it down.

I knew from the blurb that it would be an interesting story, but I didn't realize how well Ms. Gudenkauf would weave the lives of these four women together and the twists and turns the book would take.  It is amazing the emotions that I went through while reading this book.  Sometimes disgust, sometimes pity, sometimes happy, and sometimes the tears fell.  I think I went through most of the my emotions during those 5 hours.  The story comes alive, sucks you in and doesn't let you go until Ms. Gudenkauf is done telling the story and even then I wanted more even though the story does come to an end.

The characters are each fascinating, the good-girl gone wrong, her little sister, a girl living with her dying step-father and just trying to get through school and taking care of him and a mother of a beautiful 5-year-old boy.  At times they couldn't seem more different but what ties them together brings them together.  It's one of those novels that you just gasp when something major happens.  Then you stop and think about it.  I'm still pondering this book three days later.  It deals with heady subjects but it's handled in a beautiful way.  I think Ms. Gudenkauf really brought home to me the importance of the Safe Haven laws and how there are still flaws in the system.  And she did this with characters that I felt like I could have known or been.

The book will really hit home with women, but I believe it would appeal to both genders.  While following the plot there is a general suspense plot that keeps you guessing right up until the end.  It's subtle but it's there and while the characters and their growth and changes and effects on each other truly drive the book, the suspense adds to the wonderful characters to make this a well-rounded book.

I don't know that I can express how much this book touched me.  I was in tears at the end, mainly from reading Ms. Gudenkauf's Afterword and thinking back over the book.  I am sure this book will not leave my thoughts any time soon.  It's just one of those books you revisit from time-to-time and ponder the events of and marvel at how well the book was put together and how it just felt so real.  I think that is the key to Ms. Gudenkauf's books - she can immerse you completely in her world and you feel like you are right there with the characters, talking to them and watching their lives unfold.  It's a magnificent skill and I can't wait until her next book.  Her first two have been real winners for me.


My Rating: 5.0/5.0


About the Book:

Allison Glenn tried to hide what happened that night...and failed. The consequence? Five years in prison. Now she's free. But secrets have a way of keeping you caged...When Allison is sent to prison for a heinous crime, she leaves behind her reputation as Linden Falls' golden girl forever. Her parents deny the existence of their once-perfect child. Her former friends exult in her downfall. Her sister, Brynn, faces the whispered rumours every day in the hallways of their small Iowa high school. It's Brynn - shy, quiet Brynn - who carries the burden of what really happened that night. All she wants is to forget Allison and the past that haunts her. But then Allison is released, and is more determined than ever to speak with her sister. Now their legacy of secrets is focused on one little boy. And if the truth is revealed, the consequences will be unimaginable for the adoptive mother who loves him, the girl who tried to protect him and the two sisters who hold the key to all that is hidden.

About the Author: 

Heather Gudenkauf graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in elementary education and for the past sixteen years has worked with elementary children. Currently, along with writing, Heather is an Instructional Coach, an educator who provides teachers with curricular, student, and professional development support. Heather lives in Dubuque, Iowa with her husband and children. In her free time Heather enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and running.



***I received this book from the publicist, Erin McNichols at Meryl l. Moss Media Relations, Inc. for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  I do not receive money for my amazon links since I live in NC (something about some law), so they are up purely for my readers to have a place to check out the book.***

Monday, February 14, 2011

Book Review: A Billion Reasons Why by Kristin Billerback




A Billion Reasons WhyA Billion Reasons Why by Kristin Billerbeck
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Publish Date:February 1, 2011
Paperback, 320 pages
Fiction, Chicklit, Christia, Romance





My Review:
Why I read this:The blurb sold me and I really wanted to read it.

How is the novel driven: Character, I loved watching Kate and Luc.


My thoughts: If you are looking for a fun, light story with interesting characters and really sweet moments then this is the book for you.  A Billion Reasons why is one of those books you can read when you are in a sour mood and when you finish you will find yourself smiling.  You just cannot help it.

First off the characters.  I loved watching Kate come to life, she's spirited and fun and a match for Luc in every way.  Luc is a driven business man but I loved watching him become a romantic and a man willing to do anything to show the woman he loves that she is the only one for him.  Their interactions have sparks flying off the page, some times in good ways and other times in feisty ways, but all the time interesting.

The plot is pretty simple, but when you have characters dominating the story that is fine.  When I say simple I don't mean that in a bad way.  The book is about the boy chasing the one he let go many years before.  I loved learning the back story a little bit at a time along the way, that really added to the story and helped the characters develop and change through the story.

I also loved the 40s references.  While it is not a time I am completely familiar with it has been one I have read more and more about in historical fiction lately.  The romance, music and fashion of the era shine through in this book.  I love a character that enjoys retro-fashion and that is just what Kate does and Luc appreciates this fact of her character.  It was just a nice extra-dimension to the story.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the setting.  A look at New Orleans without portraying it as the ultimate sin city.  Instead a look at the genteel southern side that has nothing to do with the overindulging touristy side.  I loved this and I felt like I was walking down the streets with Kate and visiting the various landmarks.  Ms. Billerback has a definite way with the scenery to make it come to life on the page.

A charming read, a wonderful love story, and I consider it more romance than chicklit, though it definitely has the elements of chicklit as well.  Ms. Billerback tells a wonderful story that I found hard to put down and it left me with a big smile and a good mood at the end.


My Rating: 4.5/5.0


About the Book:

There are a billion reasons Kate should marry her current boyfriend.

Will she trade them all to be madly in love?

Katie McKenna leads a perfect life. Or so she thinks. She has a fulfilling job, a cute apartment, and a wedding to plan with her soon-to-be fiance, Dexter.

She can think of a billion reasons why she should marry Dexter…but nowhere on that list is love.

And then in walks Luc DeForges, her bold, breathtaking ex-boyfriend. Only now he's a millionaire. And he wants her to go home to New Orleans to sing for her childhood friend's wedding. As his date.

But Katie made up her mind about Luc eight years ago, when she fled their hometown after a very public breakup. Yet there's a magnetism between them she can't deny.

Katie thought her predictable relationship with Dexter would be the bedrock of a lasting, Christian marriage. But what if there's more? What if God's desire for her is a heart full of life? And what if that's what Luc has offered all along?

About the Author: 


***I received this book from The B&B Media Group, Inc. and Thomas Nelson for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  I do not receive money for my amazon links since I live in NC (something about some law), so they are up purely for my readers to have a place to check out the book.***

Valentine's Day Books With Love Hop

Once Upon a Twilight


Welcome to the Valentine's Day Books With Love Hop hosted by Good Choice Reading and Once Upon a Twilight.

Entering is simple, the hop starts at 12:01 AM EST on February 14 and ends at 11:59 EST February 16.  This is going to be open International this time.  And the winner gets their choice of any book the Book Depository has up to a $10 value. (Make sure the Book Depository ships to your country free - and they do most).

Simply fill out the form below, no need to be a follower, though if you like what you see, I would love to have you as a follower.  If you can't see the form, you can find it here.

After you enter my giveaway - make sure to hop around to the other 60+ blogs involved.









It's Monday What Are You Reading - February 14

Come post weekly and see what others are reading too just so you can add to your tbr - I always do! For more information see Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books and join in! 

Books Completed Last Week 
  • The Resurrection by Mike Duran 
  • Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich
  • The Werewolf Upstairs by Ashlyn Chase
  • A Billion Reasons Why by Kristin Billerbeck 
  • These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf

Reading Now: 
  • The Tudor Secret by C.W. Gortner
  • A Heartbeat Away by Michael Palmer (review)
  • Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich (audiobook, library)
Next:
  • Trickster's Girl by Hilari Bell
  • Red Wolf by Liza Marklund

Summary -

My boys were feeling better on Monday and went back to school on Tuesday.  I went to the doctor on Tuesday and found out it wasn't the flu, but it was bronchitis and I remained out-of-work until Friday.  Unfortunately I spent a lot of that time I thought I would be reading, actually sleeping.  One evening I fell asleep at 6:30, woke up at 8:30, went back to bed at 10:30 and woke up at 8:45 the next morning (and I had taken two naps already that day).  I guess that proves my body needed to rest.  Thankfully I have a wonderful husband and that night he gladly fed the kids, had them do their homework and got their baths by the time I woke up so I could tuck them in bed.

The reading I did do was very enjoyable and it was a great week for getting things done on the blog.  I have a good system going now, seemed to be more organized and I am really enjoying blogging again.  My visiting blogs was a little lackluster this week, but I hope to pick it up this coming week.

Best of the week:  These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf


How was your week?

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Weekly Giveaway Winner: Gallagher Series by J.P. O'Donnell

Fatal Gamble: A NovelDeadly Codes
 
Thank you all for entering last week's weekly giveaway, and thank you to author J.P. O'Donnell for offering the prize that is both books in his Gallagher series (which I will once again plug as great books).  So without further ado, the winner is:

Beth C

The winner has been contacted and has 72-hours to reply or a new winner will be drawn.

Thanks again for your entries and thank you J.P. for offering the giveaway!

You can check out my reviews here:

Fatal Gamble
Deadly Codes


Saturday, February 12, 2011

Winner: Book up to $10 value from Book Depository




Thank you so much for your opinions and thoughts on Kathy Reichs Tempe Brennan series and the TV series Bones, I enjoyed reading all of your responses.  It seems like most of you have watched the show.  I really do enjoy the show and I enjoy the books as well but still think it's best to see them as two separate entitites.  So let's get to what you are truly waiting for, the winner of the book with a value of $10 or less goes to:

Kristin

I will notify the winner this afternoon and if they do not contact me with 72-hours I will draw another winner.

Thanks to all who commented.